re a
woman--though Martin did not think of that at the moment, nor did Ruth
appear shocked. Martin was surprised by the wild rage that suddenly
suffused Captain Dabney's serene countenance.

"I'll make that renegade hound pay!" swore the captain, thumping the
table in emphasis. "I told him I'd kill him if he bothered Ruth again.
By Heaven, blind though I be, I'll keep my word! I'll see him, and
recognize him, when we meet--the lying cur!"

The outburst ceased as suddenly as it had commenced, and the captain's
working features assumed instantly their accustomed immobile serenity.
Martin noticed that the hunchback's face was sober, and that Ruth's
face was white. He judged that the captain was not indulging in vain
boasting.

"Wild Bob Carew is the jinx of the happy family," said Little Billy,
after a moment. "He is a human devil right enough. And the discovery
that he is interested in this affair was serious and important news for
us. I understand it took the wind out of the bosun's sails for a
moment. You see, before your conversation with the bosun in that
little tavern we did not know where you were taking the envelope. You
mentioned 'Carew' and 'Black Cruiser,' and we were enlightened.

"But the bosun failed in his undertaking, after all. He slipped on the
floor, and your agility saved you. You hopped a street-car and escaped
the bosun's clutches.

"You didn't shake us off, though. We picked up the bosun, and followed
you in the machine, keeping your car in sight the entire way to the
Ferry Building. During the journey, the bosun communicated his news.
At the Ferry we shot ahead of you, ditched the machine in an alleyway,
and prepared the new plan I had evolved.

"I dodged into a pawn-shop and bought a legal-size envelope and some
sheets of paper. Then I doubled back ahead of you and awaited your
coming, perching myself on a handy fire-hydrant. The rest you know.
My eloquence charmed you, and while you so kindly encircled me with
your arm, to keep me from falling, I picked your pocket of the treasure
and substituted the trash I had prepared.

"Such was our campaign against the person of Martin Blake. You went on
and entered the dive. I dodged across to the wharf where the bosun
and, I thought, Ruth, were awaiting me in the brig's dingey. I found
the bosun, but not Ruth. She had been too curious to remain in safety.
She had left the bosun in charge of the boat and taken up a position
where